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Spirit Emblem
"I know Hei Bai! We're close personal friends!"
Aang to Katara.[1]

Hei Bai, also known as the Black and White Spirit, is a forest spirit that normally takes the form of a docile panda bear but can transform into a large four-armed monster in the Spirit World. He has been protecting an Earth Kingdom forest for thousands of years.[2]

History

Hei Bai's statue

A statue of Hei Bai can be found in the scorched forest.

Hei Bai had been the protector of a forest just outside Senlin Village for thousands of years; however, after the destruction of the forest, he became enraged and unaware that it was due to the actions of the Fire Nation, he targeted the nearby Senlin Village and blamed the occupants. As the winter solstice drew near, Hei Bai transformed into his monstrous form and terrorized the village by abducting one villager each day.[2] When Aang came to the village, he attempted to reason with the enraged spirit, but was unsuccessful. Hei Bai became violent toward Aang, prompting Sokka to help Aang by attacking Hei Bai with his boomerang. However, Hei Bai quickly overpowered and kidnapped Sokka and took him to the Spirit World. Later, in an attempt to calm the angered spirit, Aang showed Hei Bai the acorns that covered the floor of the burnt forest, reassuring the spirit that the forest would grow back. Hei Bai's anger faded and he returned to his normal form. He took the acorn in his mouth and left through the village's gate. From that gate sprouted bamboo stalks from which the missing villagers stumbled out.[3]

After Aang met with Koh, Hei Bai returned to give him a ride back to the gateway out of the Spirit World. He shot a stream of light from his mouth toward Aang, sending him back to the physical world. In response to a rude comment from a baboon spirit upon Aang's departure, he transformed into his monstrous form and blasted the disrespectful monkey, scaring him away, before changing back into a panda.[4]

Months later, while Aang was in a coma induced by Princess Azula's lightning, Hei Bai appeared in his dream to help him in his quest to heal the Avatar Spirit by visiting his most recent past lives.[5]

Personality and abilities

Hei Bai's monstrous form

Hei Bai becomes a dangerous monster when angered.

Hei Bai is very docile and friendly in his panda form; when angered, however, he changes into a six-legged, black-and-white monster and destroys everything in his path. Somewhat vengeful and very protective of his forest, Hei Bai generally keeps to himself and does not bother others unless they provoke him first. He is a powerful spirit with amazing strength, capable of decimating a structure with one swing of his arm. He can also move at great speeds, as shown when he was destroying one house and in a streak of light suddenly appeared in front of another building. He is able to use powerful sonic screams, the power ranging from a gentle breeze to a blast capable of leveling a building in seconds. He possesses the ability to carry individuals to and from the Spirit World. Hei Bai is also able to spontaneously grow bamboo.

Appearances

Avatar: The Last Airbender

Book One: Water (水)

Escape from the Spirit World

Trivia

  • Hei Bai (黑白) means "black white" in Chinese.
  • Hei Bai's monster form is based on the design of the Mass Production Evangelions from the popular anime Neon Genesis Evangelion, of which the creators are fans.
  • When Aang tried to speak with the Painted Lady, not knowing it was Katara in disguise, he mentioned being good friends with Hei Bai.[1]
  • Although Hei Bai is a panda, his wooden totem is modeled after a brown bear.

References

See also

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